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2017 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE Expected To Outperform The Shelby GT350

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Mustang versus Camaro, Camaro versus Mustang. It’s an ongoing battle fought at drag strips, stop lights and various road courses across the United States. The latest shots were fired in the Windy City after Chevrolet revealed the 2017 Camaro 1LE in both a V6 variant and traditional V8-powered package.

During our time to chat with Al Oppenheiser, chief Camaro engineer, we got right down to business and asked what everyone wants to know: will the 2017 Camaro SS 1LE outperform the Shelby GT350?

“That’s obviously our intent. I have the answer, but I’ll let the rest of you decide how we did. Our goal is to up the game with our competitor, just like they upped the game with the GT350. Everyone had to expect we would punch back. I will tell you this car is three seconds faster than the previous 1LE. Your readers can go out and make their own conclusions,” Oppenheiser stated in utmost confidence.

It surely sounds like the GT350 is going to have something more to worry about when the 1LE hits the streets later this year, especially knowing the Camaro team benchmarked the hopped up Mustang.

“We’re plowing new ground with the V6 1LE, and for the SS 1LE, our initial target benchmark was the fifth-generation 1LE. But, obviously, Ford came out with their GT350 and we changed our sights. We’re not worried,” he added.

And so the battle continues.

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Based on the C&D testing, the 2016 SS is as fast/good or faster/better in every performance and handling test except 0-150mph and top speed.

All the while being much cheaper.

1LE won’y likely be any faster in those tests (GT-350 simply has more horsepower, which really plays into those two), but it’ll further widen the gap on all the other tests (which are the ones that matter. 0-150 and top speed aren’t generally applicable…anywhere, really).

Chevrolet is stating that the SS 1LE will not have more power, but that it will be lighter, and with even stickier tires. Factor in the all new suspension, and the fact that they’ve stated the SS 1LE will do .97g in cornering grip, the Alpha chassis and a magnetic suspension system, and you have what Chevrolet is really after.

A track monster. The 1LE was never designed to be a straight line pony car. It’s their every-man track pack, and the numbers it’s set to put down are staggering. I can’t wait.

Chevy guy says that Ford upped their game with the 350. I see that as a false statement on his part. Idk why he would say it because the gt350 is entirely a new vehicle and is not even in the same class in the past. It was always the mustang gt vs the camaro ss. So not only does the SS obliterate the GT, it’s now gonna beat the gt350…I’d be embarrassed if I was Ford. Since 2015 Ford has gone backwards in performance. Heavier car that they promised was going to lose weight and a measly 15 hp doesn’t quite make up for it, leaving the 15 gt slower than the 14.

I agree as the SS is there now this will only take it to the next level.

I expect the 1LE based on lap times compared to the old model to take out the 350R. Then the Z/28 will take it to even the next level.

The investment by Cadillac in the Alpha will pay real dividends. While we though the Zeta was good the Alpha has put the light on how much better things can be today with a new platform.

Ford will have problems as can they invest as much in their platform with only one car on it? GM has the luxury of more expensive cars on it to return profits and then let the technology trickle down to the Camaro. That is a big cost advantage and offers so much more room to work and keep cost down.

Do the research. The current 1le is 5 secs slower than the z28 at Milford and the gt350 is only 1.8 sec slower but at chuckwallah. So if the 17 1le is 3 sec faster than current 1le, hmmm, it’s still slower than the gt350. Simple math, y’all.

Good job GM. Now if only Chevy would reduce the unsightly “Micky Mouse” ears over the gauge cluster, and offer adjustable lumbar seat support!
Until then I’ll prefer the GT 350 (currently own 12 GT w/ only 7k).
Both Camaro and Mustang doing great things here!

Not really Scott, not every where has access to a road course. Sometimes looks and comfort come into play. The stupid thing would to buy a car for what a magazine’s lap time says as oppose to what you like. That’s why they sell a lot of V6 models, people like the idea but don’t nessasarly need the performance. Anybody over 6 feet tall I always tell them to give the challenger a try for comfort. Back in early 2000s the Camaro was a faster car then the mustang, showing that lap times don’t always guaranty sales.

I think your either a muscle car guy, or you like FOREIGN , BMW even low end porsche never got me the way a viper or load engine does , although I would consider the shelby gt but they are difficult to come by the SS is a beast even the 1 SS regular

Love the fact that they went with the blade spoiler on the rear – looks so much nicer. Not sure how I feel about it not being available on the 2SS though, would have liked to have had the option. Regardless – we’re living in the best years for muscle/sports cars yet. Both great products from GM and Ford. But, I gotta role with the Chev on this one. Cannot wait to see the ZL1 and the Z28!!

The top of the line Mustang GT350 doesn’t have a back seat. Is it a pony car??????? You can say whatever you want about the power plant but it would seem it still performs better with less power… Just saying….

I think that the GT350 will still be competitive with the 1LE package if not still beat it. With that said I was actually looking at buying the new Camaro SS and when I heard that the 1LE was coming out I decided to wait. But if you think that the 1LE package is going to be $3500 keep dreaming. The 2016 options for the Camaro are $1695 for MRC shocks, $3175 for the 6 piston Brembo package, we are not even including the wider wheels and Recaro seats yet! This is just my observation and .02 cents worth.

If I had to choose between the 2 cars I would probably choose the Camaro just because the GT350 is out of my price range, but with the 1le package, the Camaro might fall out of that price range also.

Do the research. The current 1le is 5 secs slower than the z28 and the gt350 is only 1.8 sec slower. So if the 17 1le is 3 sec faster than current 1le, hmmm, it’s still slower than the gt350. Simple math, y’all.

you pretty much nailed it. im sure the new 1le will be a great car. but it was way slower then the old z28. and the new shelby gt350 has already proven to put almost 1.5 seconds on the z28. its good they keep raising the bar between the brands. because we get a better product. but the prices are getting a little out of hand. as a ford guy, the dealer mark ups on the gt350 is just comical. and even a 2016 2ss is 43-45k. it will be intresting to see what happens when the new gt500 comes out and the mach1. and the zl1 and a z28 if they make it. but these cars will comand heavy prices which only a few can afford. in the 50-60k price range, there’s alot of other cars that i would rather buy then a mustang or camaro. doesn’t matter how fast they are. hell, i would even consider a c6 zo6 or zr1. i would just have to get past that whole “corvette” stigma. haha just playing

With the price difference you could easily make the Camaro outperform the Mustang. Afterall it is underpowered by about 71 horsepower. To think that the difference is roughly $20,000, which is a lot to play with to make up that difference, and is that close is amazing. Which brings me to my next point, the 1LE is still just an SS and should not “technically” be compared to the GT350 let alone the GT350R. Just saying… The Mustang has, is, and always will be overrated. It beats an underpowered, heavy, and older model Camaro Z28 by less than a second. Speculating that a $6500 package on a 1SS and still only losing by 3 seconds to a GT350R, I will take that anyday because it shows that we still have room to grow and the next top models will absolutely murder the Mustang. They will definitely be quicker and will cause Ford to create something quicker for the same price range. The ZL1 is also said to be in the price range of GT350R so that would be a better comparison. Similar price and has 124 more horsepower is a much better comparison because they are both top models. Chevrolet is way ahead of Ford when it comes to engineering. The ZL1 will be the new benchmark of the segment. At the moment, a better comparison would be a closer priced Corvette Grand Sport, which beats a GT350R by 4 seconds, with 66 less horsepower. I know how you Mustang people love comparing to the Corvette too.